Palacio de Pimentel

The Palacio de Pimentel stands in the historic centre of Valladolid and holds one of the key moments of Spanish royal history: King Philip II was born here on 21 May 1527. Valladolid was one of the most important cities of Castile at the time, and a favourite residence of the court, so it was natural that the heir to the throne should be born in a noble palace there. The building belonged to the Pimentel family, the Counts of Benavente, one of the most powerful noble houses in the kingdom, and the palace takes its name from them. Charles V, the emperor, and his wife Isabella of Portugal were guests, and the birth of the future king was celebrated with festivities in the city.

The palace was built in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries and reflects the transition from late Gothic to Renaissance styles. A stone portal with carved decoration forms the entrance, and inside is a courtyard surrounded by galleries with columns, a standard feature of aristocratic houses of the period. The building suffered from neglect and alteration over the centuries, and a long restoration in the late twentieth century returned it to good condition. It is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural, which is the highest level of heritage protection in Spain.

Today the palace is the headquarters of the Diputación de Valladolid, the provincial government, so it is a working administrative building and not a museum. But parts of it are open to the public, and its rooms and courtyard host exhibitions. Visitors can step in to see the architecture, look at the displays and learn about the history of the building. Because the arrangements depend on official use, check the current opening hours before going.

The palace stands on the Plaza de San Pablo, one of the main squares of the old town, beside the Iglesia de San Pablo, with its richly carved façade, and close to the former royal palace and the Monastery of San Benito el Real. A short walk away are the Casa de Colón, a house linked to Columbus, who died in Valladolid in 1506, the Iglesia de Santa María la Antigua, the Mercado del Val and the Teatro Calderón. Valladolid served as the capital of Spain in the early seventeenth century, from 1601 to 1606, which gave the city many of its monuments.

It suits history lovers and anyone exploring the old town on foot. A visit is short, and it works best as part of a walking route along the squares and churches of the centre.